NdeVictorDavidDimkaCelebrateswiththeLabourMovementin Plateau State .
As the country marks the International Workers’ Day today, May 1st, 2021, Nde Victor David Dimka has congratulated the working class in Plateau State for sustaining the movement towards ensuring that the plight of the worker is addressed.
In a statement issued in Jos, the leader of the DVD Movement said; “Today marks a global solidarity regarding the plight of workers all over the world. I therefore solidarise with the Labour Movement in Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole as they commemorate the 2021 International Workers’ Day”.
According to him, the plight of the working class has always being a major concern for government at all levels.
He therefore appreciates the resiliance and resoluteness of the workforce to ensure continuous dialogue with government as a way of addressing their concerns.
PLAN TO SMEAR NORTHERN GOVERNORS FORUM OVER PANTAMI UNCOVERED
The Northern States Governor’s Forum says it has uncovered a clandestine attempt by a shadow group to engage in a smear campaign against the Forum as well as its Chairman and Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, by printing and circulating posters to the effect that it is supporting the Minister of Communication Technology and Digital Economy Dr. Isa Pantami over some statements he is said to have made in the past.
The uncovered plan shows that those behind the propaganda publication are political interests that are bent on dragging the Forum into the controversy by widely circulating the posters on social media and pasting same across the country with the view to tarnishing the image of the body and its members.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Forum wishes to state that it has no intention of being dragged into the matter as the Minister has provided his response to the issue which does not need the validation or denial of the Forum. The Forum is not responsible for his personal or official conduct and utterances at anytime.
Members of the public are therefore advised to beware of the antics of such sponsored mischief makers and should therefore disregard such propaganda posters which only intend to serve the selfish interests of the those behind it.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 30th April 2021.
Unknown armed Gunmen have abducted 2 students of the Calvary International Ministry, Popularly known as CAPRO in Barkin Ladi Local government area of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria.
The School which is few kilometers from the Yakubu Gowon International Airport Haipang, was attacked early Thursday morning by the Armed Men.
According to an eye witness from the school who did not want their name in print said the attackers stormed the school early hours of the morning in an attempt to kidnap dozens of students who were already sleeping, but some of the students noticed strange moves and quickly alerted the security agencies who responded swiftly forcing the attackers to flee with 2 students.
He however added, that one out of the two abducted students later escaped during a gun duel between the security personnel and the abductors.
CAPRO, is an international interdenominational Missions Agency with over 700 missionaries from 26 countries and with operations in 35 countries in Sub-saharan Africa, North Africa.
Although the school management is yet to issue an official statement, efforts to reach the State Police Command through its Spokesperson ASP Gabriel Ubah was abortive as he was not picking his call.
It can be recalled that the Plateau State Governor, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong recently said his adminstration is working to tighten security around schools in the State.
Lalong made this known while speaking at a media parley with newsmen in Jos.
He further stressed that his adminstration is determined to tackle insecurity in the state as well as make the state safe for all citizens.
PLATEAU INVESTOR BRIEFS GOVERNOR LALONG ON PLANS TO EXPORT FLOWERS
A Jos based investor and entrepreneur Mr. Ellio Faddoul of Derby Farming and Agro Allied located at Lamingo, Jos has visited Governor Simon Bako Lalong to give him the progress report of his plans to commence the production and export of flowers to Europe soon.
Mr. Faddoul told the Governor that his farm has trained and hired experts from within the country and Kenya to ensure that the farm achieved its goal within the shortest possible time.
He said he was at the Government House to also appreciate Governor Lalong for his efforts towards restoring peace and security in the State which has made it possible for his company to remain in the State even against pressure to relocate based on unpalatable security experiences of the past.
He said the company has not only remained, but has expanded especially with the production of exotic fruits and the venture into flower production which is in high demand in Europe and other parts of the world. He said over 100 workers are now employed in the farm alone.
Faddoul also informed the Governor that his company has also convinced the Management of Dominos Pizza to establish an outlet in Jos and construction is about to start.
Governor Lalong appreciated the entrepreneur for his resilience in sustaining the family business in Jos after the demise of his father who stayed and invested in Plateau State for many years.
Lalong said the initiative to begin flower export was in line with his vision for boosting the economy of the State by returning to businesses that Plateau State was renown for in the 60s, 70s, and 70s. He said Plateau was the only State in Nigeria that exported flowers and other exotic fruits because of it natural climate and weather conditions. This he said was behind his visit to Kenya last year.
The Governor informed Faddoul that President Muhammadu Buhari has already approved the designation of the Yakubu Gowon airport Heipang as one of Nigeria’s cargo airports and work will soon commence for its upgrade.
He assured the businessman that the Government will continue to provide conducive environment for investors to do business in the State and assist in reducing unemployment and joblessness.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 30th April 2021.
INSECURITY: PLATEAU TO PROCURE 50 PATROL VANS AND 200 SECURITY MOTORCYCLES
Towards responding to crime and insecurity in Plateau State, the State Executive Council has approved the procurement of 50 patrol pickup vans and 200 security motorcycles for distribution to security agencies in the state.
Briefing newsmen after the weekly State Executive Council Meeting held at the New Government House, Little Rayfield Jos, Commissioner for Information and Communication Mr. Dan Manjang said the decision was taken to strengthen the capacity of the security agencies to respond to various challenges across the State.
He said the patrol vehicles and motorcycles will be deployed across the State and utilised for the purpose of proactively tackling kidnapping, banditry and other crimes. He said there will be increased intelligence gathering particularly in the rural areas.
Manjang also said that Council approved the scrapping of Plateau Agric Mechanization and Supply Company because it doesn’t have a law establishing it and its functions have been subsumed under the ASTC. The staff according to him will be redeployed to relevant MDAs and their parent ministries.
Council also approved the report of the economic and financial sub-councils as well directed for a draft white paper on the relationship between ministries and parastatal in the execution of their statutory functions. Having an approval of 3 sub councils last week.
The Exco also approved the construction some roads in the State. They include Aliyu Makama – Muslim Pilgrims Board to Plateau Hospital Link Road; Joe Garba and Wamba Close roads to be executed through direct labour. It also approved the rehabilitation and construction of NDLEA – Zarazon-Fobur Road Phase One phase 1 road also through direct labour.
Also approved is the execution of constituency projects under the supervision of the Plateau State Road Maintenance Agency. The projects are for Bokkos, Pengana, Pankshin North, Riyom, Langtang, Pankshin South, Mangu South, Kanke, Rukuba/Irigwe constituencies to the tune of 91million naira.
Some road projects were also terminated. They include Mangu bye-pass road project of 13km that was first awarded to PW and re-awarded to Sky Technical and Construction Company. The 18.4km Mai Juju-Zandi road was also terminated and the contractor is to make a refund of N68, 870, 350.18 naira.
Commissioner for health Dr. Nimkong Lar also gave an update of COVID-19 cases with 64,894 persons tested and confirmed cases standing at 9,052. Number of persons administered with the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine so far at 40, 625.
While the Commissioner for Finance Mrs. Regina Soemlat explained the finding for all the projects and procurement approved by the council, her Housing counterpart Barrister Zulfa Rimven gave an update on the hosting of the 9th Council for Lands, Housing and
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 28th April 2021
GOVERNOR LALONG INSPECTS RECONSTRUCTION OF NUJ CENTRE, PROMISES TO COMMISSION IN JUNE
Journalists in Plateau State are excited over the pledge by Governor Simon Bako Lalong to complete and commission the NUJ Press Centre Jos during the May 29 activities to mark his 6th year in office.
Governor Lalong who inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the Centre expressed satisfaction with the level of work and promised to make available resources to the contractor to enable him to complete the work.
Lalong said “I am here to see things for myself and ensure that the promise I made to journalists on the Plateau since assuming office is fulfilled. You have supported our administration through your reportage which has helped the people to understand our vision and support us in implementation. Today, there is peace and development in going on in different areas. I assure you that this project will be completed and commissioned so that you can have a conducive working environment”.
Commissioner for Information and Communication Dan Manjang described the passion of the Governor towards welfare of journals the welfare of journalists as unparalleled and highly commendable. He told the Governor that the reconstruction of the NUJ Press Centre has confirmed to journalists in Plateau and Nigeria that he is a man that believes in the freedom of the press and the growth of democracy.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Housing Barrister Zulfa Rimven said the work is going on according to specifications and the Governor has approved all payments for certificates of work executed. What he said remains is the issue of variation which has been submitted for consideration and approval.
Vice Chairman of the Plateau State Council of the NUJ Mrs. Ayuku Pwaspo who stood in for the Chairman, Paul Jatau thanked Governor Lalong for the visit and said he has written his name in gold in the history of relationship between the media and Government.
She said the media will continue to support his administration as it delivers good governance to the people and foster peaceful coexistence.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 28th April 2021
National Officers of the Nigerian Medical Association who are in Jos for their 61st Annual Scientific Conference and Delegates Meeting have visited Governor Simon Bako Lalong to interact with the Governor ahead of their conference.
President of the NMA Prof. Innocent Ujah said they were at the Government House to appreciate the Governor for approving the hosting of the weeklong event which has over one thousand doctors in attendance.
Ujah said the NMA is hosting the event in Plateau because of the substantial peace that has returned to State due to the efforts of the Lalong administration. According to him, there is confidence in the State as many members had no reservations or fears coming to Plateau State.
He however raised concerns over the general insecurity in many parts of the nation that is very worrisome to medical doctors and other health workers that are not only affected, but find it difficult and unsafe to offer their services to those in need.
He appealed to the Governor to use his office as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum to work with his colleagues, Federal Government and the security agencies in tackling insecurity in the country which is giving everyone concerns.
Governor Lalong thanked the NMA for the visit and said their second visit within four months shows the confidence they have in the State. He assured them that his administration is determined to sustain the peace in the State which is the number one priority of the government.
Lalong also reiterated his invitation to medical doctors to establish health facilities in Plateau State and encourage medical tourism because of the natural endowments of the State and hospitable environment.
He also assured the visitors that he will participate in the conference and the golf kitty that has been planned.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 27th April 2021.
DSS didn’t inform NASS of Pantami’s extremist views during ministerial screening –Rep
A member of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Gagdi, has said the Department of State Services didn’t send any report to the National Assembly on the past extremist views of the embattled Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, during his ministerial screening in 2019.
The lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Navy, said he was amongst those who screened Pantami in 2019.
Gagdi, a member of the House representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency in Plateau State, spoke on Monday while featuring on TVC breakfast show, ‘Your View’ monitored by The PUNCH.
The lawmaker was reacting to a claim by a former Assistant Director with the DSS, Dennis Amachree, that the secret police screened Pantami before his confirmation as minister in 2019 but the minister sailed through National Assembly screening due to a lot of factors including federal character balancing.
When asked whether the DSS sent Pantami’s past extremist views to the National Assembly during his screening in 2019, Gagdi said, “I don’t think it is true that there was (anything) in that report regarding Pantami to the National Assembly, quote me anywhere.”
“What is clear which I stand by is that this pressure which some Nigerians who are privileged to know the commitment and disposition of Pantami when he was 34, why didn’t they bring it up to the attention of the National Assembly during the screening of the ministerial nominees?
“These Nigerians that have access to this very important information, what stopped them from hitting the media with it at the time the screening exercise was being conducted? That was the time the National Assembly had the power to reject nominations of the President or to confirm nominations. If the information had gone out and the National Assembly had gone ahead to confirm Pantami, then I will accept responsibility that the National Assembly had done extremely bad,” the lawmaker added.
Speaking further on the television programme, the lawmaker said, “I think this issue of Pantami should not disqualify our democracy.”
Gagdi also said the President has a right to sack or retain Pantami in his cabinet.
“He (the President) has the right to either give the man (Pantami) a prerogative of mercy or to sack the man. That is his own power just as President (Donald) Trump before the end of his tenure decided to forgive criminals in the United States which was unacceptable to some democrats. It is the same democracy that we practice in Nigeria,” the lawmaker stated.
THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 68TH GENERAL CHURCH COUNCIL (GCC) MEETING OF THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL (ECWA) HELD 19TH -23RD APRIL, 2021, AT ECWA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HALL, JOS, NIGERIA
The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) held her 68th General Church Council (GCC) meeting with emphasis on the church’s 2021 theme: Christ in you, the Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27). This theme was chosen to encourage believers, especially ECWA members, that though they live in these unusual times of Covid-19 pandemic and the unabating insecurity challenges and the attendant numerous other difficulties, they should not despair, because we have Christ in us, who is our glorious hope.
In the course of the 5-day meeting, elections were conducted at the end of which Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya was re-elected unopposed as ECWA President for a second term of three years, while Elder Danjuma Haruna and Rev. Prof. Sunday Bobai Agang were elected as ECWA Treasurer and a member of the ECWA Board of Trustees, respectively. Elder Danjuma Haruna, the newly elected Treasurer replaces Dr. Kalu Umeh, who has successfully completed his full six-year tenure as ECWA Treasurer. The Council also unanimously approved the creation of two District Church Councils (DCCs), first Ungwan Takwa DCC out of the present Keffi DCC and Port-Harcourt DCC out of the present Aba DCC.
The meeting had in attendance the members of the ECWA Executive, ECWA Board of Trustees, Chairmen, Secretaries, and Delegates of all the 86 District Church Councils (DCCs), ECWA Leaders from the Republic of Chad and the United States of America, Directors of the various ECWA Departments, and Chief Executive Officers of ECWA Strategic Business outfits as well as Heads of ECWA tertiary Institutions. The Council deliberated on Church related matters, State of the nation and the global community as a whole and made the following resolutions:
Missions and Evangelism: Council reaffirms that ECWA was created by mission for missions, hence the Evangelical Missionary Society of ECWA (EMS) remains the flagship department of the Church. It calls on Christians especially ECWA members to renew their support to the department and give it a new lease of life.
Economic Empowerment through Vocational Training: Council approved the setting up of a Bi-Vocational Ministry as well as modalities for engaging suitable members of the church into the ministry. Moves such as these are indicative of ECWA’s passion for the extension of the frontiers of God’s kingdom. It is also a testimony to her recognition of the time-tested reformation, biblical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, which holds that the Christian ministry is not an exclusive preserve of a few ecclesial professional ministers but for all true believers in Christ.
Prayer Call for Revival: Council acknowledged revival as the manifestation of God’s holy presence in power and glory in the lives of individuals, families, churches, communities, and the society at large. It therefore considers Revival as the urgent need at the moment as the catalyst in ECWA for a great evangelistic and missional thrust, and as such urges all ECWA members to pray fervently for revival.
The General State of Insecurity in the Land: The Council observed with worry the massive and forceful takeover of ungoverned spaces by criminals and non-state actors, who obviously seem to be in control in the country vis-à-vis the seeming inability of government to decisively deal with the menace as well as protect the citizenry from these prowling merchants of death. More specifically, it expresses its concern on the following:
Attack on Christian Communities: The Council notes the unabated attacks on Christian communities in the Middle Belt, the north, and other parts of the country and the needless destruction of lives and properties by Fulani Jihadist militia and Boko Haram. The Council cautions government against continuous politicization of security matters.
Forceful Occupation of Native Farmlands: We condemn in unequivocal terms the systematic genocide being executed against Christian and other autochthonous communities throughout Nigeria, but especially in the Middle Belt. This is typically orchestrated through continuous raid on Christian farming communities with lethal weapons, often in the dead of the night, wherein thousands of our people have been murdered in cold blood and their lands expropriated by the marauding aggressors. Examples of these abound throughout Nigeria but suffice to mention the harassment and displacement of the indigenous peoples and occupation of their lands by Fulani jihadist militia in Bachit and scores of other villages in
Riyom, Bassa, and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State; the displacement of the entire Moon Council Ward of Kwande LGA as well as other communities in Guma, Logo, and Agatu LGAs of Benue state; Shiroro LGA and other communities of Niger state; Kajuru and Zangon-Kataf and other communities in Southern Kaduna; and Mongunu, Chibok, and other communities in the northeast. The Council notes with utmost disgust the shameful neglect of the plight and deplorable conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps especially in Middle Belt and other parts of the country. It is true that the prolonged homelessness is gradually herding many of these displaced persons toward hopelessness and this portends ominous consequences. Therefore, we call on the Federal Government to:
Rise from its lethargic slumber and wake up to its responsibilities to its citizens and ensure the return of these IDPs to their ancestral patrimonies.
Assist such returning farming populations with the necessary farming input so they could reactivate their farmlands, as low farming activities spell doom for our food security agenda in the face of skyrocketing food prices.
Spontaneous Agitations for Succession and Restructuring: Council notes with disquiet the spontaneous agitations for restructuring and succession among the various aggrieved nationalities of the Nigerian State, which are borne out of the perturbing systemic injustices, which are rife in our polity. It, therefore calls for the implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference. The non-implementation of these resolutions that were hailed as providing the much-needed remedies for the fault lines in our faltering union nearly a decade after is allowing a bad situation to worsen, thereby causing more harm than whatever good the non-implementation was supposed to serve. We urge the Federal Government to expeditiously set in motion necessary mechanisms for the full implementation of the Conference Report so as to save the country from the precipice towards which it is precariously heading before it descends into utter chaos.
Set Our Captives Free: Council expresses grave apprehension that despite all assurances by the Federal Government to secure our prisoners of conscience such as Leah Sharibu, Grace Lukas, Alice Loksha, Lilian Gyang, Pastor Polycarp Zongo, the remaining Chibok School Girls – these abductees and many others remaining in captivity. Council reiterates its call on government to do more to produce tangible results and admonishes Christians not to relent in praying to God for His divine intervention, remembering the parable of the importunate widow, which Jesus in Luke 18 admonished us to the effect we should always pray without losing hope.
Political Participation: The Council notes with displeasure the high level of political apathy among Christians and encourages ECWA members and other Christians to actively join political parties of their choice. Politics is dirty only because good people abstain from it. Notwithstanding, the Council cautions pastors against partisanship. In line with this, the Council approved the setting up of Political Advisory Committees at the District Church Council level to provide guidance going forward in the new direction.
Unabated Kidnap of School Students: The Council notes with disapproval the troubling siege and frontal assault on education, as is manifest in the escalating menace of kidnapping of students from institutions of learning, which raises doubts on the effectiveness of the Safe-School Initiative of the government. In this regard, the Council is sad that of late Kaduna State has become the playing field for kidnappers and bandits. We condemn the continuous holding in captivity the remaining students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, and advise the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai to have a rethink his of stance and do the needful to ensure the rescue of the remaining students and those recently abducted from Greenfield University. It is our considered opinion that the issues concern the welfare of distressed and traumatized citizens of the state, and not about his personal preferences.
Investigation into Allegations against Serving Minister of the Federal Republic: The Council observes the serious nature of the allegations levelled against the Nigeria’s current Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, the verity of which allegations he has affirmed, but is quick to excuse himself, pleading immaturity and limited knowledge for his support for terrorism at the time. We join other well-meaning Nigerians and corporate citizens like Human Rights Writers’ Association (HURIWA), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to demand for his resignation as a member of the Federal Executive Council. Where he fails to resign voluntarily, we would expect President Buhari to relieve him of his ministerial position. We equally add our voice to the demand that the allegations against Dr. Pantami be thoroughly investigated by relevant security agencies and if indicted, he should be prosecuted in accordance with the relevant laws of the Federation. This will rekindle the faith of the citizenry in the Nigerian project and assure them that there are no sacred cows in Buhari’s cabinet. Failure to do that will make the Buhari government complicit in the divisive propaganda of dangerous elements of the society as well as the murderous activities of rampaging terrorists. Furthermore, inaction on this might inadvertently imply that President Buhari prefers the enemies of the nation over its citizens and cares little about the sanctity of the constitution he swore to abide by.
Attacks on Security Personnel: The Council condemns the reports of frequent assaults on security personnel (of the military, the police, correctional officers, and other para-military services) in the line of duty and views such acts as affronts on Nigeria and Nigerians, as these personnel have placed their lives in harm’s way for the safety of our lives and the integrity of our national borders. The Council commiserates with the families of deceased security operatives and advises others still in active service to always adhere to the rules of engagement in the course of carrying out their constitutional duties. It also calls on the civil populace not to take the law into their hands at the slightest provocation but should utilize all available lawful means and civil approaches in seeking redress whenever there is any perceived infringement of their Fundamental Human Rights.
Notwithstanding this unqualified condemnation of such dastardly acts, the Council views with serious concern the wanton destruction of lives and property of innocent citizens in the barbaric collateral punishment the military metes out on whole communities (as recently seen in Benue, Imo, and Bayelsa states), many members of which live scores of miles away from the crime scene. Two wrongs do not make a right. Agents of the state must not act lawlessly. It behooves the intelligence community to do its due diligence and identify the culprits and bring them to book. Indeed, the Council hopes that when the martial prowess demonstrated by our military in the pursuit of our innocent, hapless, hopeless, frightened, and unarmed citizens is directed against those terrorizing our lives, the bandits and terrorists would be neutralized completely in no time. To assuage the pains of those displaced by such military misadventures, the Council appeals to the Federal Government to compensate all communities thus affected.
The Unjust Detention of 15 Atyap Village Heads and Youth Leaders without Trial: The Council disapproves of the Machiavellian justice that prevails in Kaduna State, where 15 Atyap village heads and youth leaders are languishing in detention without trial on trumped up charges of conspiring, maiming, and killing an ever-growing number of imaginary cows. In the past one year or so, the Atyap nation (one of the largest in Kaduna state) has been undergoing widespread wanton destruction of its property, and it has lost not less than 100 human lives at the hands of suspected Fulani Jihadist militia, a number of whom were known faces to the local community. Yet, wisdom has denied the security agencies and the Governor of Kaduna State the sagacity to arrest and detain the Ardos and Sarkis of the settler communities in Atyap land so they would produce these killers. The Council, knowing that there can be no peace without justice, requests the immediate release of the detained Atyap leaders as well as the arrest of the perpetrators of the ongoing genocide in Atyap and other autochthonous communities of the Middle Belt.
External and Internal Borrowings by Nigeria: We observe with dismay the interminable flippant borrowing that has become characteristic of the present government of the Federation, without proper accountability for those already taken. The Council questions the rationale for the continuous taking of loans despite the absence of any tangible evidence of the positive impact of previous loans on the socio-economic lives of the citizens. We therefore, call on government to focus on creating the enabling environment for adequate harnessing and effective utilization of available resources that God has endowed the nation with for wealth creation, instead of the quick resort to foreign loans, thereby mortgaging the future of many generations of our children.
Strike by JUSUN, PASAN, ASUP and others: The Council observes with unease that strike action seems to have become the only language that government understands, hence the lingering strike by many labour unions such as the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, and wanders why it has become so difficult for the issues in labour dispute to be resolved without industrial action by labour unions. We call for a quick and amicable resolutions of the disputes between Government and the various unions, knowing that the consequences of such lingering strike actions are not in the best interest of the various institutions in question and their clientele, or even the nation at large. Furthermore, we counsel the government to be more responsible and learn that words matter and as such covenants entered into with labour unions have to be kept for there to be industrial harmony and progress in the country.
Flagrant Violations of the Constitution of the Federation: The Council observes with amazement how the present regime has laboured to earn for itself the unenviable position of being a government with utter disregard for the laws of the land, as is evident in its frequent disregard of the judgments of lawfully constituted courts of the land. Most disturbing is its persistent violations of various provisions of Constitution. Though our Constitution is deeply flawed, it still has some good points. One of such good points is the requirement for the maintenance of federal character in the composition of government and appointments to key public offices as found, for example, in Chapt. 2, Sect. 14, Sub-sect. 3; Chapt. 6, Sect. 171 Sub-sect. 5; Chapt. 6, Sect. 217 Sub-sect. 3; Chapt. 6, Sect. 219 Sub-sect. a. These and other provisions of the Constitution have been consistently violated with impunity, as the regime has and continues to skew appointments into the entire spectrum of the public sector in favour of a particular region and faith, thereby further violating other provisions of the Constitution such as Chapt. 2, Sect. 15, Sub-sect. 2, Sect. 17, Sub-sect. 3.a; and Chapt. 4, Sect. 42 Sub-sects. 1-3. The National Assembly that should have provided necessary check to the Executive arm of the government seems to function more like a branch of the Executive arm of government, has thus completely failed in its duties. We hereby counsel President Buhari that he still has two years within which to redeem his name and Nigeria by redressing the injustices his regime has entrenched in our body polity, which have divided our country in ways we have never experienced before, and are recklessly driving the nation toward irredeemable bedlam.
The Spectacle of the Hijab Drama in Kwara State: The Council notes with alarm the undue public attention the Governor of Kwara state has brought to an otherwise private matter. While we concede that government has the right to regulate the running of educational institutions for quality assurance purposes, we insist that proprietorship of schools confers on their owners certain privileges to determine the ethos of the schools as it suits the vision, mission, and mandate of their proprietors. We condemn the abrasive manner in which the Governor seeks to impose Hijab wearing on Christian mission schools, as if they are publicly owned schools. We therefore call on the Kwara State Governor and his allies in the National Assembly to desist from pursuing matters that will further exacerbate our already dithering unity and avoid hasting us into a never-ending religious war.
Affront on the Tangale Nation Gombe State: The Council views with disapproval the daylight robbery of the Tangale people of their right to choose their para-mount chief, the Mai-Tangale, after the demise of the immediate past one. Leaders are chosen in a democracy by the majority of the people to reflect their traditions, culture, and ethos. The Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, is acutely aware that if he were to appoint a Christian as the Emir of Gombe or Akko, there would be no peace in the entire state, even though there are indigenous Christians in those emirates. The brazen display of the ethic of might is right by the governor in subverting the will of the kingmakers of Tangale Chiefdom is not only wrong but also immoral. We therefore call upon him to retrace his steps and uphold the will of the Tangale people.
A Ray of Hope for Justice in America: The Council recalls that it is almost a year ago when the entire world was jolted to the soul-wrenching images of a Minneapolis white police officer using the powers of the state to murder an African-American in glare of the watching bewildered world. The outpouring of outrage was spontaneous, with the Black Lives Matter protest against police brutality erupting throughout the world. It was very relieving to observe the swift manner in which the jury trying the former police officer concerned, Derek Chavin, returned the verdict of guilty as charged on all counts. While this land-mark judgment is commended and viewed as a ray of hope for justice for the down-trodden, we call on the American Congress to ride on the crest of this wave to pass more comprehensive policing reform legislation so as to deal decisively with this ugly facet of American law enforcement that sticks out like a sore-thumb in its otherwise well-functioning democracy.
The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Council also notes that it is a little over a year that winds of the Novel Corona Virus (a.k.a., Covid-19) that began in the Chinese City of Wuhan soon snowballed in the catastrophic global pandemic that has claimed, and continue to claim, millions of precious lives. It is relieving to see that various vaccines are being churned out and there are signs already that they are having positive impact where they are being used, in spite of the numerous conspiracy theories out there. In its deliberations, the Council encouraged ECWA members to take the Covid-19 vaccinations that are accessible to them.
However, Council does not intend to require members to take the vaccination: individuals are to make their personal choices as to whether to take or not to take the vaccine after careful evaluation of all the facts available to them as well as holding informed discussions with qualified and competent health professionals. We, however, encourage all our members not to relax from adhering to the preventive protocols established by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Presidential Taskforce on the Covid-19 at the onset of the pandemic. They have proven to be life-savers.
Plateau State Government Constitutes a High Powered Committee on Staff Audit and Verification.
In a bid to authenticate the actual number of workers on its payroll as well as curb the menace of “Ghost Workers Syndrome” in the State, the Governor of Plateau State, Rt.Hon Simon Bako Lalong constituted an 18man High-Powered Committee with the following membership:
i. Nde John G Gobak, OFR mni – Chairman
ii. Mr. Isaac M. Maram ( Perm Sec) – member
iii. Mr. Cornelius Shiolbial (PS, CSS, OSSG) – “
iv. Barr. Shetak Becklang (Rep MOJ) – “
v. Mrs. Zipporah L. Mang (Rtd. Perm Sec) – “
vi. Timothy B Parlong, Esq (Rtd. Perm Sec) – “
vii. Alh. Sani D. Abubakar (Rtd Perm Sec) – “
viii. Mr. Samuel Myesgin – “
ix. Mr. Gwamsuk Akila – “
x. Mr. Denis Mafwalal – “
xi. Comrd Eugene Manji (State Chairman NLC) – “
xii. Comrd Titus Malau (State Chairman TUC) – “
xiii. Mr. Joe Fan – “
xiv. Mr. William G. Songkat – “
xv. Mr. Rimbam Selchum Lar ( Rep of Audit Hqtrs)- “
xvi. Mr. Emmanuel Bimtet ( Civil Service Commission)- “
xvii. Ms Mary Fom (Teachers Service Commission) – “
xviii. Mr. Solomon Mwankon ( Director Establishment)- Secretary
The Committee which was inaugurated by the Governor represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Danladi Atu, on Tuesday 21st April, 2021, with a charge to execute the assignment diligently, unbiasedly and utmost confidentiality was given the following Terms of Reference:
i. To compile comprehensive and accurate staff disposition for all staff under the employment of the Plateau State Government, reflecting all relevant information on each Officer;
ii. To establish the actual workforce in each Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) and the total staff strength for the State;
iii. To scrutinize staff records, identify and compile list of officers who may have falsified their records and overstayed in the service or gained unmerited placements/promotion (s);
iv. To ascertain if any Ghost Worker exists on the payroll of Government and person(s) responsible;
v. To look into the cases of fake/multiple staff Identity Cards and recommend appropriate means of identification; and
vi. To make any other recommendation (s) that will guide Government, especially in maintaining accurate and verified staff records.
The Committee is expected to submit its report within three (3) months.
Freelance Reporters 